McLaren is officially returning to top-level endurance racing with the launch of the all-new MCL-HY hypercar. The British manufacturer unveiled the aggressive hybrid prototype as its entry for the 2027 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), marking its long-awaited return to the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The MCL-HY was developed through a collaboration between McLaren Racing and McLaren Automotive. The project represents one of the company’s biggest motorsport moves in years as it looks to compete against some of the world’s top racing brands in endurance competition once again. McLaren last claimed victory at Le Mans back in 1995, and the company now hopes to fight for another historic win.
Alongside the official race car, McLaren also introduced a special customer version called the MCL-HY GTR. This track-only model is designed for collectors and performance enthusiasts who want a more extreme driving experience outside of FIA racing regulations. Production will be very limited, with only around 30 to 35 units expected to be built.
Unlike the race-spec prototype, the MCL-HY GTR removes the FIA-required hybrid battery and electric motor setup. Instead, it relies completely on a powerful 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine. Without the added hybrid components, the car becomes lighter and more focused on raw speed and handling performance. Owners will also gain access to McLaren’s exclusive customer racing program, giving them behind-the-scenes access to the same engineering and motorsport expertise used by the company’s professional teams.
For the FIA WEC campaign, McLaren will work together with United Autosports to run two MCL-HY race cars. The hypercar features a striking design inspired by the legendary McLaren M6A race car from the late 1960s Can-Am era. The early test livery pays tribute to the company’s rich racing history while also introducing a futuristic new look for McLaren’s next generation of endurance cars.
McLaren confirmed that testing for the MCL-HY will officially begin this month as engineers continue refining the car ahead of its competitive debut in 2027. The company has already revealed part of its driver lineup, including Mikkel Jensen as the first official Hypercar driver. He will be joined by Ben Hanley, Gregoire Saucy, and Richard Verschoor, all of whom bring strong endurance racing experience to the program.
McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown described the project as a major moment for the company, highlighting the fact that McLaren now competes in Formula 1, IndyCar, and endurance racing at the same time. With the MCL-HY, the company hopes to add another Le Mans victory to its history and continue chasing motorsport’s prestigious Triple Crown achievement.
